Alec Engelstein, Palm Beach real estate developer, dies

Friday

Longtime Palm Beach resident Alec Engelstein, a real estate developer and philanthropist, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the age of 87.

He was the husband of Sheila Engelstein.

Born in Romania in 1930, Mr. Engelstein survived the Holocaust and in 1948, with the help of the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, relocated to Montreal, where he met his future wife.

In 1968, the family moved to Florida, where Mr. Engelstein became a successful real estate developer. His Engel Homes became one of the largest home builders in the United States.

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For more than 40 years, Mr. Engelstein was pivotal to the expansion of Jewish life in Palm Beach County with his support of organizations such as the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, MorseLife Health System, the Mandel Jewish Community Center, Meyer Jewish Academy, Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Service, and Temple Emanu-El.

During his four-year tenure as its board chairman, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County established Partnership2Gether, providing a lifesaving link between the Palm Beaches and Israel’s TZAHAR region.

He was a member of the Prime Ministers Council, the most generous donors to the federation’s annual campaign.

"Alec and Sheila are two of the most dedicated and generous leaders in the Jewish community," said Michael Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. "His life’s work has made a tremendous impact on thousands of lives locally and across the globe."

In addition to his wife, Mr. Engelstein is survived by two daughters, Debbie Shapiro and Bonnie Kay; three grandchildren; a brother, Harry; and son-in-law.